FSV Mainz 05 is facing the potential sudden departure of a key player. Brajan Gruda, an essential offensive force for the team, is on the verge of transferring to Brighton. The U21 national player from Mainz 05 is reportedly close to joining the English Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion. According to “Sky Sport News” and other media outlets, the two clubs have “basically agreed on a transfer fee of around 30 million euros.”
Oral Agreement Between Mainz and Brighton
In Brighton, the 20-year-old would reunite with team manager Fabian Hürzeler, who moved to England from the Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli this summer. There is already an oral agreement in place, but no signatures have been exchanged yet, according to reports.
Gruda has made 30 Bundesliga appearances for Mainz 05, scoring four goals and providing three assists. His contract with Mainz runs until 2026. Before the European Championship, Gruda had been training with the national team. “When you watch him, you can see he has something special,” said Thomas Müller, the 2014 World Cup winner, at a DFB press conference.
What Makes Gruda So Coveted?
So, what are the attributes that make Gruda so desirable? Standing at 1.78 meters tall, he has a low center of gravity, which aids him in body feints and changes of direction, making him challenging to defend against. Gruda attempted 132 dribbles in the past season (source: kicker.de), a very high number. He succeeded in 52 percent of his direct duels, an above-average rate. Gruda is also known for his endurance and played a crucial role in the counter-pressing strategy of Mainz’s coach Bo Henriksen last season.
